JD Supra Trade Law

EU Proposes Industrial Accelerator Act with "Made in EU" Requirements

The European Commission has proposed the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) to bolster the EU's industrial base and boost demand for EU-manufactured products. The act introduces "Made in EU" requirements across strategic sectors, aiming to reduce dependencies and increase manufacturing's share of EU GDP.

EC Seeks Technical Advice on Taxonomy Regulation Disclosures

The European Commission has requested technical advice from the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) on key performance indicators (KPIs) for the Disclosures Delegated Act under the Taxonomy Regulation. The EC aims to review and simplify taxonomy reporting, with advice due by October and potential amendments targeted for Q1 2027.

SEC Grants Section 16(a) Exemption for Foreign Private Issuer Directors

The SEC has issued an exemptive order providing relief from Section 16(a) reporting requirements for directors and officers of foreign private issuers organized in specific jurisdictions, effective March 5, 2026. This exemption applies if the issuer is organized in a qualifying jurisdiction and subject to substantially similar regulations.

FATF Report on Stablecoin and Unhosted Wallet Risks

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has released a report detailing risks associated with stablecoins and unhosted wallets for money laundering and terrorist financing. It provides recommendations and good practices for jurisdictions and the private sector to mitigate these risks.

UK Sanctions Update: Russia and Belarus

The UK government has amended its sanctions list under the Russia regime, with one entity remaining subject to an asset freeze and another being removed. Additionally, new guidance on licences for Belarus trade sanctions has been published, and an overview of 2025 Russia sanctions highlights potential future legislation targeting sanctions evasion.

Trump Administration Establishes $20B Reinsurance Facility for Persian Gulf Shipping

The Trump administration has established a $20 billion reinsurance facility through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to support private insurers providing coverage for maritime shipping in the Persian Gulf. This initiative aims to reduce war risk premiums and ensure the free flow of energy commodities.

CIT and CBP Outline IEEPA Tariffs Recovery Process

The Court of International Trade (CIT) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are outlining a process for importers to recover unlawful IEEPA tariffs. This guidance suggests importers may not need to file protests on all entries immediately, potentially reducing recovery costs. Importers are advised to update their ACE accounts and prepare for potential protest filings.

EC Consultation on Private Equity Exit Obstacles

The European Commission has launched a consultation seeking feedback on obstacles faced by private equity investors when exiting investments in EU private companies. The consultation aims to improve access to finance for EU start-ups and scale-ups and will inform potential future regulatory or policy actions.

Litigation Challenges Legality of Section 122 Duties

Twenty-four states and two private companies have filed lawsuits challenging the legality of Section 122 duties imposed on February 20, 2026. The complaints argue that the President lacks the authority to impose these duties, citing violations of separation of powers and nondelegation doctrines.

ESMA Final Draft RTS on Margin Transparency and Clearing Costs

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published final draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) on margin transparency requirements and clearing costs under EMIR 3. These drafts aim to improve transparency for clearing participants regarding margin calls and clearing fees.